1/18/2024 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of a melange of red fruits, tobacco and floral aromas to a lesser extent. Palate of wood, tea, cassis, blueberries. There was quite a bit of oakiness to this bottle. Tannins were present, but not too harsh, approachable at present. I enjoyed it but it fell a little short of expectations. Perhaps a couple more years of aging would make it more seamless.

1/18/2024 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Brief note from a dinner with extended family. Nose was notable for forest floor, sous bois. Dark fruits on the palate, somewhat creamy, fine powdery tannins. Enjoyable drink, paired quite well with lotus rice with chinese sausage.

12/31/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Pale maroon in glass. Intensely aromatic nose of cherries and dried strawberries, improved progressively over 2 hours. On the palate, crunchy red fruits, spice, black tea. Light to medium bodied, could not feel any tannins. Very drinkable, the only thing to mention, I felt was that the spice was a little overpowering at the beginning.

12/25/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Dark maroon, looks youthful for a 28 year old claret. Intense nose of barnyard aromas that blew away within a few minutes of uncorking. That evolved to a nose of dark fruits, blueberries, blackcurrant with the background of forest floor. Palate was elegant, sweet dark fruits, medium bodied with adequate structure in my view. On the palate it reminded me of the 95 Pichon Lalande which I had a few years ago. The palate was stronger than the nose on this occasion.

12/24/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Maroon colour, no signs of bricking. Intense nose of roses, with a hint of sweet cherries, red berries. Attractive sweet fruits on the palate, tannins were almost undetectable. Some spice/pepperiness towards the end. Paired with cold roast beef. One of the better bottles of red burgs drunk recently.

12/23/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Youthful colour for its age. Amazingly aromatic nose of blueberries, wood, soil. Exceptional palate of red fruits, rich and silky with beautifully dissolved tannins. I fully agree with what Jancis Robinson refers to, the resemblance to the best of Burgundian wines. A lovely bottle paired with roast beef, finished the bottle wanting more!

12/22/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Quite dark coloured maroon. Fragrant with a slightly atypical nose of dark berries. Feels heavier than what I would have expected. Raspberries and blueberries, slightly tannic on the palate. It was alright, not spectacular.

11/25/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of garrigue, herbs and red fruits. Moderate tannins, sweet red fruits on the palate, easy to like. Good value for everyday drinking.

11/19/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Golden, appears darker than expected of its age. White flowers and mild botrytis on the nose. Unctuous, with some tartness towards the end to balance out the sweetness. Easy to like, albeit a little 2 dimensional.

10/29/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Initial nose of barnyard that blew away after some decanting. Nose of dark fruits, blueberries. Rich and bold on the palate with blueberries, there were some dried orange peel notes towards the end. Tannins were still perceptible, it still has years to go in my opinion. Enjoyable.

10/15/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of apples and oak. Rich, hints of marzipan and on the off dry end of sweetness. Enjoyable, good value for the price.

10/14/2023 - Saint B wrote:

More oak on the nose than I would have liked. Some red fruits on the palate, silky, easy drinking. Improved on the second day, however nothing to write home about.

9/22/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

A relatively youthful dark maroon colour. No decanting required. Intense nose of sweet red fruits, strawberries, cherries, compote, and roses that gradually dissipated. There was a very subtle hint of oak. Had the classic cherry aromas associated with Pinot Noir. Palate was equally pleasant, red fruits, with a touch of salinity. Very drinkable, tannins were imperceptible. I was very much surprised by this bottle, reaffirming my view that there's tonnes of value to be had in NZ PNs. Delicious!

9/9/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Decided to open this bottle as an earlier bottle (different wine) was corked. Light maroon in colour, does appear slightly aged than it actually is. Nose of cherries, red fruits. Recognisable nose of a red burgundy. Palate wise, there was an enjoyable lightness, measured amount of red fruit and acidity, although would have preferred more of the fruit. There was a minerality aspect towards the end, there was some sappiness, albeit almost imperceptible, perhaps down to the style of winemaking with whole bunches? One for the repertoire, no obvious faults, but leaves more to be desired

9/9/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Corked bottle, unfortunately. Cardbox, and ? ammonia aromas, extremely tannic and bitter.

9/7/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Clear light straw colour. Citrus, lemons, sulphur, struck matchstick on the nose. Palate had a complementary acidic tone to it, lime with salinity and minerality palpable. Enjoyable and unique wine, I think it's a good example of the terroir.

8/4/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Strong influence of oak on the nose, with some cherries too. Palate of cranberries, wood and black tea. Easy drinking but not spectacular

6/25/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Quite closed at the moment. Sharp red fruits on the nose. Unremarkable palate. I think this will need some more time to develop.

6/25/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of strawberries, saline notes. Palate was pleasantly floral and long. Enjoyable

6/25/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Unique, aged bottle of riesling. Darker yellow from the age. Petrol, kerose aromas. Sweet on the palate with notes of pears.

6/25/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Light, pale yellow in colour. Apple-y aroma, very slight lemongrass on the palate. Decent but not exciting

6/25/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Compared beside the Elms 2011 Chardonnay. Sharper and steely on the nose, more delineated, citrus, subtle lemongrass. Palate and nose was better compared to the Elms '11

6/25/2023 - Saint B wrote:

Tasted side by side with the Bannockburn Chardonnay 2012. A richer, buttery nose although less defined compared to the Bannockburn.

5/6/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Drank with minimal aeration over 2 days. Better on the second day. Nose of warm dark fruits, spice, walnut. Palate of dark fruits, blueberries, blackcurrant that lasts for a good minute. Tannins are almost resolved at this point. Could feel the warmth of the vintage. Enjoyable at this stage, however I think it is certain to benefit for a few more years in the cellar.

4/15/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

My first bottle of 'branded' NZ Pinot Noir if one can say so. It was a pleasant experience. The nose was very unique, I perceived it to be green very initially but that morphed into red fruits, strawberries, after that short moment. Tannins were imperceptible. Delicious on the palate, strawberries, red fruits and perhaps cola but without the fizz (very mildly). It was sweeter than I was expecting but no complaints. I would definitely reach for a glass/bottle again if opportunity arises. Certainly opened my eyes to NZ Pinot noir!

4/15/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Second bottle after 3 years. Nose of pencil lead, some may interpret it as incense wood, blue fruits and forest floor in the background. On the palate, a melange of red and blueberries. Tannins are beautifully resolved. The aroma is slightly less intense from my previous encounter, but no less enjoyable. I am surprised by how well it is still able to deliver, hoping it continues to do so in the coming decades is my only wish.

4/9/2023 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of lemongrass, lime, apples. Easy to drink and pleasant, a slight pith bitterness towards the end to add on some complexity. Good value

11/26/2022 - Saint B Likes this wine:

From the get go, a nose full of barnyard, musk. There were some red fruit notes to be had with quite aggressive swirling however the barnyard felt to be coming back in waves. Decanted for about an hour, aroma became slightly herby and finally pencil lead. A very structured Pauillac. Tannins were beautifully dissolved. I felt the 86 Pichon Lalande to be more enjoyable, especially aromatically from my recollection, however it was still a memorable drink. At a meal to mark a new chapter in my life.

10/10/2022 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of lime, green apples. Slightly spritzy, mildly sweet, peach and citrus notes on the palate. Simple and enjoyable.

4/9/2022 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Lovely nose of creme de cassis, classic red Bordeaux earthy tones, evident from the start. Palate was as good as the aroma, chocolate, dark fruits, concentrated and long. The ripeness of the 2003 vintage was palpable. All in all, in a very good place right now, and I suspect for quite a while more.

1/28/2022 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of wood and red fruits. Structured. Still youthful for its age, redcurrants and plum, secondary aromas just rearing its head. Got better after an hour of aeration. Still some time to its peak IMO

9/17/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Classic Merlot nose of sweet berries. Tannins are quite resolved, quite sweet, paired well with olives, very inviting, slightly thin on the mid palate and short towards the end. It was not too hot at all, despite being 15% abv. It was otherwise a pleasant bottle.

9/16/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

White flowers and a very light nose of botrytis. Golden yellow, does not look aged at all. The balance of acidity and sweetness was impeccable, I would say the best Sauternes that I have tried to date. Excellent.

9/16/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Maroon coloured, slightly cloudy. Nose of leather and sous bois. Palate was quite unique, blue fruits, with a hint of passionfruit and marzipan?

5/29/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Barnyard nose initially, blew away within half an hour. Classic Bordeaux nose, creme de cassis. Notes of blueberries, vanilla, oak. Fine and melted tannis, velvety. Slightly light when compared to the grand vin, otherwise quite impressive for a second wine.

4/24/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Opened this bottle with anticipation, after some starters with a Pol Roger NV. Initial nose of barnyard that blew away quite quickly. Dark in the glass, appeared quite youthful. Nose of blackberries, sweet soy sauce, and wood, an aroma that I would not forget for quite a while. Palate was excellent, ink, dark red fruits, tannins. It felt like a mature claret with a youthful character, deceiving in a good way. A well structured wine, the most Pauilliac of wines that I have tasted so far.

4/4/2021 - Saint B wrote:

Nose of ripe plums, prunes. On the palate, the acidity was slightly more towards pungent than I would have liked it, otherwise an unremarkable bottle.

3/20/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Dark maroon. Barnyard, forest floor nose which evolved to a classic Cru Classe Bordeaux nose, and creme de cassis. Tannins were still palpabele, but enjoyable. Concentrated with predominantly dark fruits. An enjoyable bottle, paired well with Braised short ribs.

2/13/2021 - Saint B wrote:

Dark purple in colour. Nose of cotton candy, balsamic notes, grape must. Black tea on the palate. Alcohol was quite perceptible, not particularly exciting.

2/7/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Dried cherries, and hint of sugar cane on the nose. Smooth palate with layers of fruits with a minty finish.

1/2/2021 - Saint B Likes this wine:

As I had wanted to try something from Rhone, given the cold weather, settled for this bottle with a pal. Nose was quite muted, then barnyard then improved, as is what usually happens in my experience of pleasant CdPs. Nose of spice, soy sauce, hoisin, with some dark fruit candy (?) On the palate, it was sensual, dense, velvety, sweet, with umami flavours. Paired really well with Cantonese style roast duck. A very enjoyable bottle, probably at its peak?

12/25/2020 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Classical Pomerol on the nose, cassis. You could feel the tannins are quite resolved. Mocha, milk chocolate with some acidity left behind. I feel that this is at or around its peak, not too shabby for an 'off' year.

12/9/2020 - Saint B wrote:

Faint nose of roses, raisins. Medium bodied, palate of raisins but dry and some cane（?) Unexciting

11/28/2020 - Saint B Likes this wine:

With a 30 minute decant, this is an extremely easy drinking wine. Plenty of vanilla, caramel(?) and oak on the nose. Ripe cherries on the palate with just enough acidity. Nothing to dislike.

11/13/2020 - Saint B wrote:

Nose of stewed plums and dark fruits, that evolved to cherry notes. Had notes of garrigue and herbs towards the end of the bottle. Decanted for approx. 2 hours. Palate of blackcurrants with hint of savouriness. An approachable wine despite its age with mellow tannins.

10/31/2020 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour. Sweet nose, caramel, mocha and ripe fruits. Detectable alcohol on the nose, gradually dissipated with time but never went away. Palate of dark fruits, milk chocolate and pepper spiciness towards the end. Fine tannins. Good value for money.

10/13/2020 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Opened bottle with high expectations, and matched it. There was a slight hiss when the bottle was uncorked which emanated aromas of red fruits, blue berries and violets. It must be one of the most aromatic wines that I have had so far. The nose evolved to forest floor, then sweet wood, creme de cassis and ink. On the palate, the tannins have all but resolved, there is surprisingly freshness to this wine, what I describe as acidity when having strawberries, however this does disappear the longer I drank. Palate was notable for red fruits, blue berries, vanilla and hints of dark chocolate. A truly memorable wine!

10/3/2020 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Paired with tarte tatin. Pale gold colour, honeysuckle and a tinge of lemongrass on the nose. Quite balanced on the palate, with some acidity to balance the sweetness. No complex secondary notes at the moment.

10/3/2020 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Paired this bottle with roast chicken, lovely nose of roses, elderflower and vanilla that improved throughout the meal. Palate of red fruits (cherries) that I felt was more singular.

9/12/2020 - Saint B Likes this wine:

Nose of cassis, aged wood. Somewhat creamy tannins, on the palate notable of blackcurrant, plums and fruitcake. Medium to full bodied. A ripe vintage. A very enjoyable wine